Comparative three-dimensional flow analysis of MHD generators and seawater thrusters

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6979791

Doss, E D ^[1]; Roy, G D ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
2. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, VA (USA). Mechanics Div.

The three-dimensional flow characteristics inside MHD plasma generators and seawater thrusters are analyzed by solving the governing partial differential equations for flow and electrical fields. The equation set consists of the mass continuity equation, the three momentum equations, the equations for enthalpy, turbulence kinetic energy and its dissipation rate, and the Maxwell equations. Calculations have been performed for a Faraday plasma generator and for a continuous electrode seawater thruster. The numerical results of those two applications are compared. Calculations have been made to study the flow evolution in MHD generators and thrusters. The calculations show that velocity overshoots friction enhancement exist over the sidewalls and are strongly manifested in MHD generators but not so in MHD thrusters. Plots of velocity and skin friction are presented to illustrate the flow development in MHD generators and thrusters. 17 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOD
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6979791
• Report Number(s): CONF-9006105-1; ON: DE90011160; CNN: N00014-89-F-0064
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300100* -- Direct Energy Conversion-- MHD Generators
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330000 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems
640430 -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF STATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
MECHANICS
MHD GENERATORS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
THRUSTERS
TURBULENT FLOW